Dubbed a “Revenge Tour” by star forward Brandon Hawkins heading into the season, the Toledo Walleye have taken an important step towards avenging last season’s runner-up performance in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. With a comeback win in Game 4 of their Central Division semifinal series, the Walleye completed the sweep to eliminate the Indy Fuel.

It was actually Hawkins who scored the game-winning goal with under five minutes to play in regulation as Toledo overcame 2-1 and 3-2 deficits on the way to a 5-3 win to secure the sweep. Hawkins had scored twice in the game and had three goals in the series after registering a career-best 39 goals during the regular season.

The Walleye got contributions from throughout their lineup, which includes an influx of NHL prospects that were loaned to the team from the Grand Rapids Griffins by parent club Detroit Red Wings.

Among those NHL-contracted players to make an impact was Kirill Tyutyayev, who spent a good chunk of the season with the Walleye. He scored the game-tying goal with 6:54 to play on a brilliant feed from Gordie Green on a two-on-one. 

Green + Toots = 🚨 pic.twitter.com/P1lmsZJMK1

— Toledo Walleye (@ToledoWalleye) April 28, 2023

Toledo also has the benefit of a goalie tandem with tremendous promise. Both Sebastian Cossa and John Lethemon, each of whom are under NHL contract, started two games in this series and each came away with a pair of wins. The duo combined for a save percentage of .933 through the four games against Indy with Lethemon earning the win in the decisive Game 4.

While having the NHL connections are nice, the Walleye are bolstered by a veteran core. Game 4 was put on ice with an empty-net goal by 37-year-old T.J. Hensick, who returned to the team late this season for one more run at the Kelly Cup after mulling retirement. 

Now the Walleye will await the winner of the other Central Division series featuring the top-seeded Cincinnati Cyclones and Fort Wayne Komets. That series still has a ways to go as the Cyclones are up 2-1 with Game 4 set for Friday night.

By earning the sweep, Toledo will get the chance to rest up as the very first team in the ECHL to earn their way to the division finals in the 2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs.